Polishing the puffin exhibit

If you have visited the Aquarium recently, you’ve probably noticed that our popular Sea Cliffs Exhibit on level 4 is closed for renovations. The Aquarium puffins, razorbills and black guillemots are taking a short sabbatical while our Exhibits and Design team gives their home a thorough clean and polish!

The birds have moved to special offsite quarters that maintain exhibit temperatures of 50°F, and water quality analysts monitor the temporary freshwater systems created for these little divers.

The Sea Cliffs exhibit is designed to recreate the birds’ natural nesting environment. It includes rocky outcroppings and a pool that holds nearly 6,500 gallons of water. According to our animal care staff, the Aquarium puffins behave much the same as they would in a natural habitat. The staff also add special enrichments to the exhibit that encourages the birds to play and interact with their habitat.

Check out the video below to see some of these enrichment activities, and be sure to enter our Fish Friday contest below!

Today is Fish Friday and we have another contest for our followers!

Name one of the enrichment items featured in the video that these birds can eat.

Please post your answer as a comment to this post by 5 p.m. EST today, January 22nd. Correct answers will be entered into a drawing for a puffin prize pack featuring two tickets to the National Aquarium and a puffin plush! The winner will be awarded on Monday, January 25th. Good luck!